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(excluding the cost of a small unit of fighter aircraft,
the provision of which is under examination). In cash and
services Hong Kong currently contributes to defence at the
rate of £5 million per annum under an agreement which runs
until March, 1971.
C. BRITISH RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities to People
20. We have a responsibility to safeguard the welfare and
interests of about half the population of Hong Kong, the
remainder being aliens.
21. A clear responsibility extends to the following
categories:-
22.
(a) 46,000 British subjects and Commonwealth citizens
of non-Chinese race, of which about 15,000 at the
present time are members of the armed forces and
their families (the Gurkha troops and their
dependents are included in this category).
(b) About half (or 1.9 million) of the Chinese
population who have, or are entitled to claim the
status of Citizens of the United Kingdom and
Colonies.
In the event of our withdrawal, we would have a residual
responsibility to see that non-Chinese foreign nationals (numbering about 11,000) have the opportunity to leave if
they wish and if their own Governments fail to make
arrangements for them.
23. We also have a moral responsibility to non-communist
Chinese aliens: these would be regarded in the eyes of the
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